Welcome to Eastern Cambodia
Home to diverse landscapes and peoples, the ‘Wild East’ shatters the illusion that Cambodia is all paddy fields and sugar palms. There are plenty of those in the lowland provinces, but in the northeast they yield to the mountains of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri Provinces, where ecotourism is playing a major role in the effort to save dwindling forests from the twin ravages of illegal logging and land concessions.
Top experiences in Eastern Cambodia
Travel guides
Starting at $36.39
Eastern Cambodia activities
Kratie Classic Lifestyle Day Trip Including Dolphin Cruise
Start your day at 9am by traveling on a motorbike out of Kratie on the Old River Road, passing through a Vietnamese and Wat Rokakandal towards the ferry crossing point. As you wait for the ferry you can enjoy looking over to a floating village on the Mekong. Having arrived on the west bank, visit attractions such as tobacco building, seasonal crops, and a local Wat; learn how palm sugar is being produced in the season and relax alongside beautiful rice paddies, the perfect opportunity for photos. You might be able to try some delicious, freshly pressed sugar cane juice, a must for those with a sweet tooth.Then, you'll visit a local family's home, where you can experience true rural Cambodian life living on the banks of the Mekong. You'll try traditional Cambodian food, home cooked over a wood fire. The meal will be cooked with local delicious fresh ingredients from the surrounding area, and fruit straight from our orchard. After lunch take time to relax and ask any questions you might have about Cambodian life, while sitting inside a traditional stilted wooden home. Before returning to another ferry crossing, there are also opportunities to experience Khmer noodle and rice whisky making. Then, you'll catch the Rusey Cha ferry across the Mekong and head to Kampi, one of the many deep pools where the rare river dolphins gather to feed. Board a local boat and cruise out into the mighty Mekong for a chance encounter with these gentle mammals. Viewing is guaranteed. After enjoying an hour or more of dolphin viewing, you'll travel back to Kratie for the end of your tour.
Mekong Dolphin Spotting
You will be picked up by your guide and local remok (tuk tuk) or motor bike from the hotel in Kratie and travel on the old national route 7 along the river bank towards Kampi. One of the many deep pools where the rare river dolphins gather to feed. Along the way, we journey pass through a village that produces the delicious snacks, famous sticky rice packed in bamboo (krolan) and pickle raw fish in banana leaf (Nhem). Thma Kreae village is particularly famous for Krolan. This tasty snack is famous all over Cambodia and locals would never leave Kratie Province without buying a stock for relatives and friends back home. A must to try at least once. Having arrived to Kampi, we board a local boat and cruise out into the mighty Mekong for a chance encounter with these gentle mammals. Viewing is guaranteed. Tour boats will take you closer to these shy and sensitive mammals. If you listen carefully you might hear the dolphin breath through the blowhole on the top of its head. After enjoying an hour or more of dolphin viewing, we travel back to Kratie. *This itinerary is written based on our tour research expeditions. It should be read in order to get a good general impression and NOT as a detailed hour by hour itinerary. As we care about your safety and always want to increase customer’s experience, Cambodian Pride’s team can change parts of the tour due to weather terrain conditions depending on the season and customer requests. If the program is changed upon customer’s request, possible additional costs will be charged directly to customers.
Kratie Culture and Wildlife
We start the day at 9:00AM by travelling north on the old National Highway 7. We make our first stop at mediated of Phnom Sambok, a small mountain which has two peaks, one dull and the other pointed, and has a lush forest filled with birds and some monkeys. A concrete staircase makes the mountaintop accessible. Once at the top, we are rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view of the countryside, especially the Mekong River. We then head up along the Mekong River towards Sambor.After a traditional lunch overlooking to the Mekong view, we visit the famous 100 pillars pagoda and learn its fascinating history and as a place of pilgrimage for residents of Kratie. It was first built in the 16th century by King Chann Reachea. The pagoda included 100 wooden columns to commemorate the memory of his daughter Vorakpheak who was killed by Mekong crocodile. Afterwards we encounter the Mekong Turtle Conservation Center, see one of the most endangered Mekong softsell turtle. The project looks after baby turtle until they become big enough to protect themselves from big fish, snack, etc.The highlight of our day is a visit to one of the many deep pools where the rare river dolphins gather to feed. We board a local boat and cruise out into the mighty Mekong for a chance encounter with these gentle mammals. Viewing is guaranteed. After enjoying an hour or more of dolphin viewing, we travel back to Kratie.What to bring: Mosquito repellent, sun cream and hat.Dress standard: Dress respectfully for visiting in the local community. Trousers/skirt or knee length shorts and shirt/t-shirt that covers your shoulders are appropriate. Comfortable shoes or sandals suitable for walking are also recommended.**This itinerary is written based on our tour research expeditions. It should be read in order to get a good general impression and NOT as a detailed hour by hour itinerary. Cambodian Pride Tours works with the local people; we can change parts of the tour due to weather terrain conditions depending on the season and customer requests.
Ultimate Cambodian Adventure
No matter where you travel in Cambodia, the past is always present. History, both ancient and modern, is everywhere here; whether you’re cycling in the shadows of the mighty Angkor Wat, wandering the streets of cosmopolitan Phnom Penh, or exploring the Irrawaddy in search of river dolphins, you can’t escape the pull of time that shaped – and continues to shape – this arresting land.
Cambodia & Laos Mekong Adventure
From Angkor Wat to remote river towns, journey down the Mekong and into the heart and soul of Southeast Asia. Our Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) will share with you the region’s cultural treasures and natural splendours. Explore the many temples and, if you’re lucky, spot a rare Irrawaddy dolphin. Experience the highlights with a chance to get off the beaten track and explore the remote islands of Don Khong. With local transportation and authentic accommodation, like a rural homestay, this adventure offers an intriguing blend of included activities and free time for personal discovery.
Ultimate Cambodian Adventure
No matter where you travel in Cambodia, the past is always present. History, both ancient and modern, is everywhere here; whether you’re cycling in the shadows of the mighty Angkor Wat, wandering the streets of cosmopolitan Phnom Penh, or exploring the Irrawaddy in search of river dolphins, you can’t escape the pull of time that shaped, and continues to shape, this arresting land.